Why should population control/reduction NOT be put squarely on the agenda to combat AGW?
It should be on the agenda. But it can also become an exhaustive field of political battle.
I struggle with this issue and probably speak with forked tongue when giving my opinions.
IMO the dialogue needs to be at the UN, not the beltway. The UN pretty much sees the right to propagate is a human right.
This is what I found:
unfpa.org
unfpa.org
This pretty much summarizes it, and it's kinda HEAD SCRATCHING.
While surges in population will bring challenges, they also represent humanity's success. The move from higher to lower mortality and fertility reflects achievements in health, education and human rights. Falling fertility levels also create opportunities for countries to realize a demographic dividend – the economic growth that can occur when there is an increase in the number of people of working age and a decrease in the number of dependents.
Human rights
Population dynamics can be shaped by policies. But these policies must strengthen, rather than weaken, fundamental human rights and freedoms. Population dynamics are the cumulative result of individual choices and opportunities, and they are best addressed by enlarging these choices and opportunities – especially those related to sexual and reproductive health and rights. When couples can freely decide the number, timing and spacing of their children, evidence shows more children survive and thrive, and overall fertility levels trend downward.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights also make an enormous difference in the health and lives of all people, especially women, by dramatically reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, helping to prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as HIV, and empowering women to live more self-determined lives.
What UNFPA is doing?UNFPA is one of the world’s largest supporters of population data collection. In addition to supporting censuses and surveys, UNFPA works with policymakers, civil society, health-care providers and educators at all levels to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights – including voluntary family planning. |
